Their friends of 17 years at the church say they can't understand how the couple didn't escape the flames.

"They were ready to go. They had their truck backed up. It was loaded. I think they were just getting whatever last-minute items they needed to take," says McCollough. He says the couple kept in touch with him through the ordeal.

McCollough says the Lucases had let the church use their mountain home for retreats.

A home, he says, was built to survive a fire.

"It had concrete shingles on the roof. He had a fire suppression system. He was an engineer. He was prepared. They had water tanks for water, a phone system, a generator. Anything you can imagine," he says.

"I tell you I sure am going to miss those two people. So are a lot of other shut-ins," says Heye.

"I'm just sad the Lord needs more angels. So he took them. She did what he put her here for. And that was to see after everybody," says Light.

Both ladies say it's hard to accept they won't hear from their friend on the other end of their phones anymore.

"It's going to be okay. I’ll see her again. She won't have to make a telephone call," says Light.

Moaneti was also famous for her pet chickens she sometimes brought to the church for kids to see.

The couple also had a dog named Shadow--all believed to have died in the fire.

A memorial is set for the couple Friday at 1 p.m. at Southern Gables Church at 4001 S. Wadsworth in Littleton.